British traders made fortunes from ships freighted with opium off the coast of China. They helped themselves to the riches of India. They planted new crops in their expanding colonies, like rubber in Malaysia. The key factor in the development of the Empire however, was the demand for sugar.

How did England build its empire?

In the 16th Century, Britain began to build its empire – spreading the country’s rule and power beyond its borders through a process called ‘imperialism’. This brought huge changes to societies, industries, cultures and the lives of people all around the world.

What made the British Empire so powerful?

With land, with trade, with goods, and with literal human resources, the British Empire could grab more and more power. Profitability was key to British expansion, and the age of exploration brought wonderous and addictive delights to the British Empire.

Why did Britain want an empire money?

The British wanted an empire for a number of reasons. Firstly, the discovery of the New World provided the opportunity to acquire wealth. With each threat to trading routes or British interests, the need to strengthen, often through conquest, became greater. Exploration and sheer inquisitiveness was also a motivation.

What was the biggest empire on earth?

The Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire existed during the 13th and 14th centuries and it is recognized as being the largest contiguous land empire in history.

Was there slavery in Canada?

Slavery itself was abolished everywhere in the British Empire in 1834. In 1793 Upper Canada (now Ontario) passed the Anti‐slavery Act. The law freed enslaved people aged 25 and over and made it illegal to bring enslaved people into Upper Canada.

How many slaves died in the British Empire?

Between 1680 and 1692, at least 84,500 enslaved African men, women and children were purchased, branded and forced onto RAC ships, of which nearly 19,300 died on the transatlantic crossing.

Why was trade so important to the British Empire?

With economic dominance and having been freed from the shackles of Mercantilism, British businessmen could seek out trade wherever they could find opportunities to do so. Following industrialisation British businessmen could offer cheap and well made industrial goods on a scale never before imagined.

Why was the British Empire important during the Victorian era?

Although the Empire was increasing in size during the Victorian period, it provided few economic opportunities and indeed with the ending of economic preference for the colonies and the abolition of slavery and the slave trade, the Caribbean suffered greatly during this new free trade era.

Where did the British trade with the West Indies?

Merchants sent out ships to trade with North America and the West Indies, where England had established a network of colonies, following on from the permanent settlement of Virginia in 1607 and the acquisition of Barbados in 1625.

Why was the United States important to the British Empire?

The USA was until after the Civil War of 1861-65 dependant on Britain for textiles and most manufactured goods whilst Britain imported 90% of her tobacco from the USA. It was a relationship that suited Britain and one that Britain hoped would last.